Xiaomi HyperOS explained: How it’s different from MIUI

If you’ve used a Xiaomi phone, you probably know about MIUI, the company’s signature custom skin on top of Android. However,  come October last year, Xiaomi sounded the death knell on its smartphone operating system and released HyperOS. HyperOS was essentially an updated and enhanced version of MIUI, aiming to give you a cleaner, more intuitive, and faster experience. Today, Android is the operating system (OS) that powers the majority of smartphones and is the underlying software that handles essential functions like managing apps, settings, and network connections. 

However, while Android provides a fundamental framework, third-party OEMs like Samsung and Xiaomi customise it with their own user interfaces (UIs) or skins. Xiaomi’s MIUI custom skin was used across all their smartphones, but now the company is transitioning to HyperOS, promising a fresh look and feel. If you’re curious about how HyperOS differs from MIUI, here’s a breakdown of what sets the two apart.

What is Xiaomi HyperOS?

Just to clear things up, HyperOS isn’t a standalone operating system like Windows or macOS. Instead, it’s a customisation layer built on top of Android, similar to a theme that changes how Android looks and works while keeping Android at its core. The new HyperOS uses the Linux kernel and includes Xiaomi’s Vela OS for IoT devices adding some extra features.

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It’s a big step away from MIUI, aiming to create a seamless experience across different devices, from smartphones to smart TVs. Xiaomi’s HyperOS also promises to speed up app loading, reduce installation times, and keep OTA updates small. Furthermore, Xiaomi also wants to keep HyperOS open for other manufacturers to use in their IoT devices, making it a promising platform that improves efficiency and unifies the ecosystem.

How does HyperOS differ from MIUI?

At first glance, MIUI and HyperOS might look nearly the same with their similar icons and layouts; however, if you take a closer look, you’ll notice some quality-of-life upgrades and noteworthy changes. For starters, HyperOS’s Settings menu is way cleaner and simpler, with less text and a sleeker design. The Control Center has also been revamped with bigger icons and built-in music controls.

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Furthermore, the lock screen now offers some neat customisation options, including three styles – Classic, Rhombus, and Magazine, with depth-of-field effects similar to iOS. The icons and app menus have been fine-tuned to look sharper, and app menus now sit at the bottom, making them easier to reach. 

The weather app has received a makeover too, sporting a colourful and visually appealing design. With HyperOS, Xiaomi has also introduced a new “Dynamic Notch” feature around the punch-hole camera, which displays details like charging speed and battery percentage. 

All in all, HyperOS may not scream “new” at first, but these thoughtful updates make for a smoother, more polished experience that builds on what MIUI did well without reinventing the wheel.